Automobile heater



May 1, 1928.

c. B. WATERS AUTOMOBILE HEATER Filed March 5. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwuwltoz M /3. 1453211 aftoz m1 May I. 1928.

C. B. WATERS AUTOMOBILE HEATER Filed March 5. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 inventor CLJM fl. Qfl'ozncq Patented May 1 1928.

TEs PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. WATERS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMOBILE iiEA'rnn.

Application filed Match 3, 1926. Sei'ial'lt'o. 91,988.

The present inventions relate to automobile circulation and heating systems and more particularly the inventions comprise improvements in heating systems of the type shown in my copending Patent #157 5,667 issued March 9th, 1926 of which the present application is a continuation in part.

In the practical application of the heating system shown in my patent. I have dis-.

covered that the efiiciency and effectiveness of the system may be considerably improved by properly proportioning the various areas,

, ing

deflecting passages, and by specially proportioning and arranging the heater or radiating units.

An important improvement in the present invention over that shown in my above mentioned patent is effected by proportionin'g rearrangement of the deflecting and return openings in the coupling member between the heating and cooling system so that the distance between the outlet and return opening is reduced to a minimum. the adverse head which must be overcome to maintain a circulation of hot water in the systemis reduced and the rapidity of flow through the hot water heating system may be substantially increased. This increase of velocity of flow is important in its eiiect on the system as a whole, as it pe'rmitsfsatisfactory heating with a reduced diversion of total flow in the cooling system.

A further decided improvement has been eiiected in the provision of a specially de signed heater or radiating member in which.

water space is provided" robbed of its heat, and at the same time a minimum amount of water is deflected In this way through the radiatingmembers rapidly in a thin sheet and is' of water to such an extent that in order ture in the from the cooling system to eifect the heating of the radiating members in satisfactory manner. By a proper design at the deflectand radiating members, I have been able to reduce the total amount of deflection of water deflected fromthe cooling systemto well below 20 per cent of the total circulation in the average force feed cooling system, and have been a le to secure efiicient and satisfactory heating-with a diversion of water ranging from 1 to- 10 per cent in the: trouble of the usual closed type of automobile may be maintained with a diversion of approximately 8 per cent ofth'e water, in the circulating system. This diversion is so small that it has a negligible efiect in the operation of the cooling system. 'With my improved deflecting arrangement and heating or radiating members, I have been able to reduce the size of connections and the diversion to maintain a satisfactory heating in cold weather, a controbof the water temperature becomes essential for satisfactory o eration. In the prior proposed systems, the diversion of water and restriction of the cooling effect stems has been such as to give ue -to overheating-of the engine, but' 'with my present improvements the diversion of water from the cooling system is so .small that means for raising the temperature 1n the average force feed cooling system in cold weather by the provision 0 adjustable radiator covers or other suitable temperature controlling means must be pro- Accordingly, objects of the present invention-are to provide an improved water heating system for automobiles and the like, in which the diversion of water from'the coolingfi'system is negligible while at the same time a high heating eflicienc is maintained; to'provide means for regulatlng the temperacooling system to bring the water temperature to the point where satisfactory heating may be maintained; to rovide novel water temperature and leve indicating means; and to provide novel and ornamental water heater structures especially for use in automobile heating.

Further objects of the invention are such.

adapted 'as may-be attained by the various combina- -tion's,

sub-combinations, and principles more fully hereinafter set forth and as defined by-the scope of-the appended claims.

"Referring to the drawings-'- j qFigure 1 is a diagrammatic sideelevation showing the general arrangement of one form of the invention.

of the total circulation. Effective heating I gFigure 2 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of an improved coupling member whereby the efliciency of operation of my improved systems is substantially im roved.-

Figure 3 is a plan view of a form 0 heater especially adapted for usein the invention. Figure 4 is a seetionalview taken along line A-A of Figure 3. l

view taken along sectional View engine of a motor vehicle, the upper part of the jacket space of which is connected by means of the conduits or hose couplings 2 to the upper part of a cooling radiator 3. Cooling radiator 3 is connected in well known manner to atmosphere, and at its bottom is connected bymeans of coupling 4 to a water circulating pump 5. Pump 5 is driven in any suitable manner from the engine and is connected by means of the coupling 6 to the lower part of the cooling jacket for the engine 1. As is well known in the art, cooling water from radiator 3 is drawn through coupling 4; by the pump 5 and forced through coupling 6 into the engine cooling jacket and through return coupling back to the cooling radiator. Interposed in the connection 2 between the engine 1 and the radiator 3 is a coupling member 7 made of suitable metal and provided with a main opening or passage 8 of such an area that the main circulation cooling system is not substantially restricted.

Formed in a branch 9 of the coupling member 7 is an outlet passage 10 and a return passage 11 for water deflected from the cooling system. A common wall 12separates the passages 10 and 11 from each other and terminates in a projecting section 13 which protrudes into the main passage 8 to deflect a portion of 'the water flowing through the passage 8 in the direction shown by the arrow (Figure 2)'. The projecting section 13 is curved at 14 and 15 in the shape of parabola starting at a in a line parallel to the direction of flow of the water through the passage 8 and terminating at b in the surfaces of wall 12. The relation of the sectional areas of the passages 10 and 11 to each other and to the sectional area of the passage 8 is an important feature of the present invention. While cross-sectional areas of the passages 10 and 11 are preferably equal to each other and may range from approximately 1 to 25 per cent of the crosssectional area of the passage 8, I have found that for most satisfactory operation the'sectional areas of the passages 10 and 11 s u d be below 10 per cent and above 1 per cent of the cross-sectional area of .the

' passage 8. An excellent proportion in practice has been reached when the area of the passages 10 and 11 respectively are equal to about 2 per cent of the area of the passage 8.

The amount of protrusion and shape of the projecting section 13 of the wall 12 are proportioned so that the area of opening at the mouths of the passages 10 and 11 com mnnieating with the passage 8 are equal in area or preferably slightly greater than thefcross-sectional area of the passages 10 and 11 and the openings at the months are as close to each other as is possible.

To reduce the restriction of flow of water through the passage 8 by the projecting member 13 the area of the passage 8 is enlarged at 16 by providing an outward bulge in coupling 7 around the projection 18 so shaped as to maintain the area of the passage 8 substantially uniform throughout the length of the coupling member 7.

Passage 10 extends downward through the arm 9 and through a coupling projection 17, while the passage 11 is extended through a coupling projection 18 which protrudes beyond the end of the coupling projection 17 v and is provided with a threaded section 19 upon which a control valve 20 is threaded. The control valve 20 may be of any usual type for stopping the flow of water through the passage 11 and is provided witlfa coupling section 21. The coupling sections 17 and 18 are inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the branch 9. This is an important feature of the invention as it permits the application of my improved system to any of the present well known automobile cooling systems regardless of variation of the angle of couplings 2 without introducing reverse bends into the flexible hose couplings.

Secured to the coupling projection 17 is valve 23. Valve 23 is connected by means of a suitable connection 24 to the inlet opening of one of my specially constructed water heaters 25. The outlet opening of the heater 25 is connected by means of a flexible hose connection 26 to the coupling section 21 of the valve 20. The hose connections 22 and 26 are of flexible material which acts as a heat insulator preventing loss of heat from the water passing therethrough.

The proportions and construction of the heaters or radiating units used are of a type especially adapted for use in connection with my improved heating system. The heater arrangements are such as to provide a water space in the heater through which the water llu must pass in a wide sheet or. stream which all ' of ribs 28 to increase the radiating surface 3 and 4, a bottom casting 27 is provided on the lower surface'thereof with a plurality and to strengthen the casting. Inlet conmotion 29 and outlet connection 30 for the water are provided. Casting 27 is secured to top casting 31 by means of the bolts 32 which pass through and secure a spacing gasket 33 in position to form the walls of a water space 34 between the lates 27 and 31. Gasket 33 is of suflicient thickness and, of such shape as to give the desired cross-sectional area of the water space 34. Bolts .32

- are of such a size and strength thatin event the water in the heater freezes they will fracture due to the expansion of the ice be.- fore the castings 27 or .31 will ,break. To provide additional radiating surface and for strengthening .top of the casting 31 the ribs 35 are provided on the upper surface thereof. Side members 36 are formed integrally with the top casting 31. Formed on the bottom edges of 'de members 36 are the openings or notches 37 for the admission of air to the bottom casting 27 of the heating unit when the heater is in position on the flooror foot board of an automobile. The sides 36 pro- 'vide supports for the heater and at the same time improve the appearance thereof by.

covering the bottom plate and the spacing gasket construction. It willbie noted in this form of heater the water will be forced through space 34 from the inlet opening 29 to the outlet opening 30 in a sheet orfstrea n which maybe one-quarter inch .or less in depth and from which the heat will be t ansferred rapidly. A small amount of 'continuously changing hot water is continuously forced through the heater which will accordingly warm up rapidly. Because. of the, mass of metal'utilized, the heat will be retained for a substantialperiod of time after y the flow of hot water has ceased so that the the front of the machine,

car will be heated after the engine has been stopped for a substantial period of time.

The form of heater shown in Figures 3 and 4 is especially adapted forlocation be tween the seats of a car'to be heated. When it is desired to place the heater on the inclined foot-board of an automobile to heat the form of; heater shownin Figures .5, 6, and 7 is preferably utilized. In this form of heater the lower and upper castings stantially square in shape and a rib or dividing member 39 is formed integrally with' and diagonally across the upper surface of the casting 27. The rib 139 is centrally grooved and nesting in the groove is a compressible packing member 40 preferably of a strip of rubber circular in cross-section, against which the lower surface of the upper casting 31 is pressed by means of the bolts 32 when the unit isassembled 40 divide water space 34. intosectionsAl 27 and 31 are made sub 4 wall projecting into The rib 39 and strip plates together sa d means and 42. In this form of the invention the inlet connection 29 for the heated water 1s formed at the upper right hand corner of the. section 41 adjacent the partition 39, and the outleti'or the water is formed on the opposite side of the partition 39 in section 42 adjacent the inlet 29. With this arrangment the connections to the inlet 29 and outlet'30 at the right hand side of the inclined foot-hoard of an automobile in a position clearing ordinarilydisposed. Heated water passing inward through the connection 29 is compelled to circulate in a long'path as indicated by arrows inFigure 5 through section 41. around the end of the partition 39, and through section 42 to the outlet opening 30.

In the form of heater shown in Figure 8,- the side member 36. for the elongated heat ing unit as shown in. Figures 3 and 4 is shaped so that when the heater rests on the the exhaust pipe of the engine as floor of a machine or automobile, top casting ture in the cooling system for effective heating as weatherconditions vary.

In operation of the form of invention so far described, the heated water from the engine is circulated through the passage 8 of the coupling member s the water passes projectingsection 13, the velocityw'of flow will build up a circulating pressure in the passage 10 and will exert a suction on the mouth of passage 11. The combined pressure and suction action will be ampleto 'force the heated Water at a relatively rapid rate downward through passage 10 and hose connection 22 to the heating unit 25 and back through the hose connection 26, passage 11 into the circulating system, against the natural tendency for the heated water to rise and against the difference in head of the column'ot waterin passages 10.and 11' and connections 22 and 26. In the heater 25 the water will be robbed of its heat and the heat' will .be radiated into the space'to be heated. \Vhat is desired to be secured by Letters "Patent and claimed as new is:

forming the side walls of a water receiving' chamber arranged between said plates, :1

said chamber and extending from one side wall across the chamber to apoint spacedlfrom another wall, a yielding packing between -said wall" and the overlying plate, and means to clamp said serving, to compress said gasket and packing to form water tight 'oints.

2. n automobile radiator including a plate flanged on all sides, a second plate arranged within said flanges, a thin compressible gasket spacing said second plate from the body of the first named plate providing a water circulating space between said plates, said flanges belng provided with openings and the second plate being provided with heat radiating ribs on its outer surface. 7

3. An automobile heating radiator utilizing the water of the automobile engine cooling system comprising a supporting casing having a top portion provided with depending supports projecting downwardly from said top portion to space said top portion from the floor of the automobile, said supports being arranged in lateral spaced rela-- tion so as to permit the circulation of air beneath said top portion, a plate substantially coextensive with said top portion and arranged in slightly spaced relation thereto to provide a water circulating chamber of small depth and relatively great width, an inlet and an outlet in said plate arranged in position to cause the water to circulate through said chamber.

4. An automobile heating radiator utilizing thewater of the automobile engine cooling system comprising a supporting casing having a top portion and depending supports spaced aterally from each other to provide for the circulation. of air beneath said casing, a late suspended from said top portion in slightl' spaced relation thereto, and forming wit the under surface of said top portion a water circulating space designed to cause the circulation of water in a stream or' streams of relatively small depth and an inlet and an outlet communicooling system comprising a supportingeating with said space and positioned to cause circulation through said space. i

5. An automobile heating radiator utilizing the water of the automobile engine casing having a top portion provided with heat radiating means, and portions project- .ing downwardly fromsaid top portion to support said-portion in spaced relation to the floor of an automobile body, said portions being'spaced laterally to permit the circulation of air beneath said top portion, a plate suspended from said top portion in slightly spaced relation to the under surface of said top portion and--.forming therewith a water circulating chamber of relatively great width and small depth whereby the water will be caused to traverse said chamber in thin sheets, an inlet and an outlet in said plate communicating with said chamher and heat radiating ribs projecting from the outersurface of said plate.

6. An automobile heating radiator utilizing the water of the automobile enginecooling system comprising a supporting casing having a top portion provided with heat radiating means, and portions projecting downwardly from said top portion to support said top portion in spaced relation to the floor of an automobile, said portions being spaced laterally to permit the circulation of air beneath said top portion, a plate suspended from said top portion in slightly spaced relation to the undersurface of said top portion and an open rectangular gasket arranged between said plate and said portion, and means to clamp said plate, gasket and top portion togetherforming a water receiving chamber of relatively great width and small depth, and an inlet and outlet in said plate disposed in position to cause a circulation of water in said chamber.

7. An automobile heating radiator utilizing the water ofthe automobile engine" cooling system comprising a casing having a top, sides and ends, the bottom of said casing being open, means to support-the body of said casing in spaced relation -to the fioonof an automobile body with said open bottom facing said floor, said means being formed to provide air passages opening in said casing to permit relatively free circulation of air around said supporting means and "in the casing, and means within said casing designed to conduct the heating water in a stream of very small depth beneath said casing.

8. An automobile heating radiator uti lizi'ng the water of the automobile engine cooling system comprising a casing having.

a top, sides, ends and an open bottom, said casing being provided with means to support iton the floor of an automobile, said means being formed to bodily space the casing from said floor so that air is free to circulate to and through said open bottom, means arranged within said casing to cause the circulation of water in thin sheet-like streams, said means being provided with heat radiating ribs.

', 9. An automobile heating radiator uti-' lizing the water of the automobile engine cooling system comprising a casing having atop, sides, ends and an open bottom, means to support said casing with the open bottom to causethe circulation of water therebenea'th .in very shallow streams, and ribs to radiate the heat from said water to thespace within said casing. t

. In testimony'whereof I afiix my signature. CHARLES B. WATERS. 

